Luciano Spalletti (66), the renowned coach who guided Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich), has stepped down from the Italy national team, and the legendary 'Warrior' Gennaro Gattuso (47) is increasingly likely to succeed him.

Italy national team Director General Gianluigi Buffon (47) noted on the 15th (Korea time) at the U-21 European Championship held in Slovakia about Gattuso's appointment, "We have already completed many preparations, and we are currently only finalizing the last details. Ultimately, I believe we have made the best choice." This essentially formalized Gattuso's appointment.

The reins that Gattuso will take over were held by Spalletti since August 2023. He is the coach who led SSC Napoli to its first Serie A title in 33 years alongside players such as Kim Min-jae, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Victor Osimhen during the 2022-2023 season and was selected as the national team head coach to restore pride to Italian football.

The national team stage was different. Coach Spalletti packed up early after suffering a 0-2 defeat to Switzerland in the Euro 2024 Round of 16, and in the next match, Italy's first game of the 2026 North and Central American World Cup European qualifier Group I, they shockingly lost 0-3 to Norway.

Italy joined the qualifying schedule late due to the UEFA Nations League schedule, but it has become virtually impossible for Italy, which started with 0 points, to challenge for first place in the group where a direct ticket to the finals is at stake, especially since Norway has already accumulated 9 points with three consecutive wins. Even securing second place is necessary to aim for a playoff, yet Spalletti left without even keeping that possibility open.

On the 9th, ahead of the friendly match against Moldova, Spalletti stated, "The president of the Italian Football Association informed me of my dismissal. I was disappointed," adding, "However, I had no intention of stepping down and planned to take full responsibility until the Moldova game." However, he will part ways with the national team after directing the match against Moldova.

Gattuso, a strong candidate to succeed him, commanded the midfield of Italy during his playing days, earning the nickname 'Warrior' as he fought on the battleground. He was also a member of the 2006 World Cup winning squad. As a coach, he left a brief but strong impression at AC Milan, Napoli, and Valencia, and especially at Napoli, he led them to victory in the Coppa Italia with his distinctive tenacity and organization.

Italy is a traditional powerhouse that has won the World Cup four times (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), but it has endured a dark period, failing to qualify for the finals for two consecutive tournaments (2018, 2022) since 2006. Although they seemed to bounce back with victory in Euro 2020, they have yet to break free from stagnation on the World Cup stage.

Italy, aiming for a return to the finals after 12 years, can no longer afford to fail. With Gattuso, a coach who prioritizes mental strength over tactics, at the helm, the entire Italian football community is awaiting his announcement to determine if he can rescue the national team from this crisis.

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